The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by many colleges/universities in order to qualify for need-based grants as well as merit-based scholarships, subsidized student loans and Federal Work Study. We strongly urge ALL Pine View applicants (and parents) to complete the FAFSA to be fully eligible for any and all university-based awards. Please contact Mr. Bergman if you have questions about the importance of filing the FAFSA.

Freshman and Sophomore Planning

Freshman Year

With the assistance of your Guidance Counselor it is important to plan a challenging program of coursework (Four Year Plan). This is the single-most important factor in college admissions as it shows the goals you set for yourself. Are you signing up for advanced courses, honors or dual enrollment classes? Are you choosing electives that stretch your mind and help you develop new abilities? Colleges are more impressed with respectable grades in challenging courses than outstanding grades in easy courses.

Colleges look for students who meet and exceed the requirements set out by their high school. The Pine View graduation requirements include 26 total credits and at least 5 college preparatory course per year, including:

4 years of English

4 years of Mathematics

3-4 year of Foreign Language

3-4 years of Science

3-4 years of Social Sciences

1 year of Fine Arts

Begin assembling a file of important documents and notes. This should include lists of awards and honors, a record of school and community service, evidence of paid and volunteer work, letters of recommendations, classroom products or projects or note, research, or any descriptions of what you have accomplished either at Pine View or in the community. These will be the basis of your personal resume and the substance of your college application.

Become active and stay involved in clubs, activities, and sports that you enjoy. It is very important to pursue activities outside of the classroom as colleges look for more than academics. While you may be tempted to be involved in a lot, it is better to be more deeply involved in fewer activities than lightly involved in many.

Get involved in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, internships, research opportunities and/or programs with specialty focus such as music, the arts, or sciences. You should begin these activities NOW. Find something that you will continue. Look for opportunities that set you apart in some way and pursue them with intensity.

Visit and consult pvscollegecounseling.com for timelines, resources, and answers to questions related to the college planning process.

Attend various Career and College Planning events. Some key dates for 2017-18 include:

Learn what resources are available to help plan for college by meeting with your guidance counselor. Visit and consult pvscollegecounseling.com for timelines, resources, links and answers to questions related to the college planning process.

Begin your college search and if possible, plan and go on college visits.

Create a list of colleges and universities in which you are interested. Explore different types of schools. Decide which characteristics are most important to you such as size of school, distance from home, majors and programming offered, and extracurricular activities. Do not research solely on the basis on perceived reputation or name. Focus on “match and fit”. Use resources found on pvscollegecounseling.com and Naviance/Family Connection. Discuss the list with your parents and counselor.

Begin researching the costs associated with attending the schools in which you are interested. Talk frankly about college costs as a family, and what is and isn’t possible. Visit the Net Price Calculators for your desired schools to determine approximate out of pocket costs as well as the FAFSA4caster for aid eligibility

Update your list of important artifacts and descriptions of activities. Begin assembling a resume based on this information. Look ahead to the Coalition for Access (CAAS) application.

Look into the SAT and ACT, note differences. Plan to take Mock Examinations offered at Pine View. Determine a schedule for testing during Junior year and start preparing! If paying for the test is a financial hardship ask your counselor about fee waivers.

Prepare for the PSAT (October of your Junior year).

Sign up for challenging Junior year courses. This will be your first real opportunity to take multiple Advanced Placement courses. Do so with focus and desire.

Attend various Career and College Planning events. Some key dates for 2017-18 include: